Tool holder

ABSTRACT

A tool holder is provided. The tool holder includes first and second casings connected by a hinge and at least one tool carrier. The tool carrier includes a base portion coupled to one of either the one of the first or second casings and a holder portion having at least one holder assembly adapted to receive a tool accessory. The holder portion is coupled to the base portion for selective movement between a stored position and a removal position, wherein the holder portion is positioned relative to the base portion to permit the tool accessory to be removed from the holder portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/484,367, filed Jul. 10, 2006, entitled TOOL HOLDER, which claimedthe benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/697,481, filed Jul. 8,2005, the disclosures of which are all hereby expressly incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Tool holders provide a convenient way for a user to keep his or hertools in an organized manner. Tool holders often include tool carriershaving various attachment structures for holding specific toolaccessories, such as bits, in known locations within the tool holder.This permits the tool accessories to be held in a known position forretrieval by the user while also presenting such tool accessories in anaesthetically pleasing manner.

Although previously developed tool holders are somewhat effective, theyare not without their problems. For example, some tool holders useflip-out tool carriers which are rotatable between a flat (stored)position and an inclined (removal) position, in which a specific toolaccessory can be selected and removed for use. However, during use, thetool carrier may inadvertently transition between the stored positionand the removal position, causing the tool accessories to becomedislodged within the tool carrier. Further, the tool carrier mayinadvertently swing from the removal position to the stored positionbefore a user has a chance to select and remove the tool from the toolcarrier.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A tool holder is provided. The tool holder includes first and secondcasings connected by a hinge and at least one tool carrier. The toolcarrier includes a base portion coupled to one of either the one of thefirst or second casings and a holder portion having at least one holderassembly adapted to receive a tool accessory. The holder portion iscoupled to the base portion for selective movement between a storedposition and a removal position, wherein the holder portion ispositioned relative to the base portion to permit the tool accessory tobe removed from the holder portion.

The tool carrier also includes an interference member associated withone of either the base portion or the holder portion. The interferencemember engaging a portion of the other of either the base portion or theholder portion and defining an interference fit therebetween forselectively restraining the holder portion in the stored position untila predetermined load is applied to overcome the interference fit. Thetool carrier further includes a retaining assembly positioned forlocking engagement with a portion of the tool accessory when the toolaccessory is disposed within the holder portion and the holder portionis displaced into the stored position to selectively restrain the toolaccessory within the at least one tool carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tool holder constructed in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the tool holderin a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool holder of FIG. 1 with the toolholder shown in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of a tool carrier of the tool holderof FIG. 1, the tool carrier shown in a removal position;

FIG. 4 is a detail to planar view of the tool carrier of FIG. 3, thetool carrier shown in a stored position;

FIG. 5 is a detail top planar view of the tool carrier of FIG. 4, thetool carrier shown in the stored position with six of the toolaccessories shown in FIG. 4 removed for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a detail top planar view of the tool carrier of FIG. 4, thetool carrier shown in the stored position with six of the toolaccessories shown in FIG. 4 removed for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tool holder of FIG. 6, thecross-sectional cut taken substantially through Section 7-7 of FIG. 6with a holder portion of a tool carrier shown in solid lines in anintermediate position, and in phantom lines in a stored position and aremoval position;

FIG. 8 is the tool holder of FIG. 7 with the holder portion of the toolcarrier shown in solid lines in the stored position and in phantom linesin the intermediate position;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a tool holder constructed in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the holderportion partially cut-away to better illustrate certain aspects of thedesign;

FIG. 10A is a side planar view of the tool holder of FIG. 9, showing theholder portion in a stored position;

FIG. 10B is a side planar view of the tool holder of FIG. 9, showing theholder portion in an intermediate position; and

FIG. 10C is a side planar view of the tool holder of FIG. 9, showing theholder portion in a removal position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a tool holder 100 constructed in accordance withone embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the toolholder 100 may be formed in a clam shell design, having a top portion102 hingedly coupled to a bottom portion 104 about a hinge 106. The toolholder 100 may be transitioned from a closed position as shown in FIG.1, to an open position as shown in FIG. 2. In the closed position, asecuring assembly 108 may be used to removably couple the top portion102 to the bottom portion 104. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecuring assembly 108 is a zipper, however it should be noted that thesecuring assembly 108 may take other forms, a few suitable examplesbeing clasps, clips, etc. Further, although the tool holder 100 isillustrated as a soft-sided bi-fold assembly, it should be apparent thatother designs, such as a hard-sided bi-fold, hard-sided tri-fold, andsoft and hard sided no-fold containers, are also within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The tool holder 100 includes a flexible stiffening core 142, onesuitable example being a core made of a flexible sheet of plastic, whichis wrapped with a fabric material 138 and 140, one suitable examplebeing nylon.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the tool holder 100, as noted above, is shownin an open position with the top and bottom portions 102 and 104 pivotedrelative to one another about the hinge 106. In the open position, auser has access to a variety of tool accessories 200 stored within aninner enclosure 110 of the tool holder 100. The inner enclosure 110 isdefined by the top and bottom portions 102 and 104 and the hinge 106when the tool holder 100 is in the closed position of FIG. 1.

Disposed within the inner enclosure 110 are one or more tool carriers112A and 112B, collectively referred to as “tool carriers 112.” The toolcarriers 112 may be used to removably hold one or more tool accessories200 within the inner enclosure 110. The tool carriers 112 may betransitioned between a stored, flat position as shown for tool carrier112A and an inclined, or removal position, such as shown for toolcarrier 112B, in which a specific tool accessory 200, such as a screwdriver bit, can be selected and removed for use.

The tool carriers 112 may be best understood by referring to FIG. 3.Although only one of the tool carriers is described in greater detailfor the sake of brevity, the description applies to the other toolcarriers. The tool carrier 112 includes a base portion 114 and a holderportion 116. The base portion 114 may be secured to the tool holder 100by any suitable means, such as fasteners, adhesives, sewing, integrallyforming the base portion 114 with the tool holder 100, etc. In theillustrated embodiment, the base portion 114 is coupled to the bottomportion 104 of the tool holder 100 by one or more fasteners 118. In theillustrated embodiment, the fasteners 118 are in the form of rivets.

The base portion 114 also includes one or more retaining assemblies 120.The retaining assemblies 120 may be used to selectively retain toolaccessories 200 within the tool carrier 112. In the illustratedembodiment, the retaining assemblies 120 are used to retain toolaccessories 200 to the tool carrier 112 when the tool carrier 112 is inthe stored position and release the tool accessories 200 for removalwhen the tool carrier 112 is in the removal position.

The retaining assemblies 120 may include an interlocking structure 122adapted to cooperatively interface with a cooperatively shapedinterlocking structure 222 on the tool. In the illustrated embodiment,the interlocking structure 122 of the tool carrier 112 is in the form oftwo posts or protrusions. The posts or protrusions are adapted to bereceived within the cooperatively shaped interlocking structure 222suitably formed on the tool accessory 200. The cooperatively shapedinterlocking structure 222 of the tool accessory of the illustratedembodiment is in the form of a waist, or reduced diameter portion of thetool accessory 200.

As best shown in FIG. 6, when the tool carrier 112 is in the storedposition, the interlocking structure 122 of the tool carrier 112interfaces with the cooperatively shaped interlocking structure 222 ofthe tool accessory 200 to retain or impede the tool accessory 200 fromremoval from the tool carrier 112. However, when the tool carrier 112 isplaced in the removal position, as shown in FIG. 3, the interlockingstructures 122 and 222 are spaced from one another, and the toolaccessory 200 may be removed from the tool carrier 112.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the holder portion 116 may be pivotallycoupled to the base portion 114 by a pivot assembly 124. The holderportion 116 may be pivoted relative to the base portion 114 about thepivot assembly 124 between the removal position (FIG. 3) and the storedposition (FIG. 4).

The holder portion 116 may include one or more holder assemblies 126.The holder assemblies 126 may be used to retain a tool accessory 200 ina predetermined position within the tool holder 100. In the illustratedembodiment, the holder assemblies 126 permit a tool accessory 200 to beslid in and out of the holder assembly 126. Each holder assembly 126includes an aperture 128 sized and shaped to receive a tool accessory200. The tool accessory 200 is deposited into the holder assembly 126until it contacts a stopper plate 130.

The holder assembly 126 includes a second aperture 132. The secondaperture 132 is sized and located to permit the retaining assemblies 120to at least partially extend therethrough (when the tool carrier 112 isin the stored position) to engage the tool accessory 200 to aid inretaining the tool 200 to the tool carrier 112.

Operation of the tool holder 100 may be best understood by referring toFIGS. 1-8. Starting from the closed position of the tool holder 100, auser opens the tool holder 100 by unzipping the securing assembly 108and opens the tool holder 100 like a book into the open position of FIG.2. The user then locates the tool accessory 200 which the user desiresto use. The tool carrier 112 having the selected tool accessory 200 isthen rotated from the stored position (see tool carrier 112A) to theremoval position (see tool carrier 112B). The tool accessory 200 is thenremoved from the tool carrier 112, used, and replaced. Once replaced,the tool carrier 112 is returned to the stored position, the tool holder100 closed, and retained in the closed position by the securing assembly108.

Referring to FIG. 7 and focusing more closely on the operation of thetool carrier 112 during transition from the stored position (generallydesignated as “C” in FIG. 7) to the removal position (generallydesignated as “A” in FIG. 7), the tool carrier 112 may be formed toprovide means for impeding inadvertent transitioning of the tool carrier112 from the stored position to the removal position, and/or the removalposition to the stored position. In other words, the tool carrier 112includes means for selectively retaining the tool carrier 112 in eitherthe stored or removal position.

In the illustrated embodiment, this aspect is accomplished throughinteraction of an interference member 134 coupled to the base portion114 of the tool carrier 112 and a follower 136 coupled to or integrallyformed with the holder portion 116 of the tool carrier 112. Theinterference member 134 may be positioned so as to be in the path of thefollower 136 as the follower 136 rotates during movement of the holderportion 116 from the stored position C to the removal position A. Thus,as the holder portion 116 is rotated from the stored position C towardan intermediate position (generally designated as “B” in FIG. 7), thefollower 136 engages the interference member 134.

The engagement of the follower 136 against the interference member 134impedes the free rotation of the holder portion 116 to the removalposition A. This engagement between the interference member 134 and thefollower 136 defines an interference fit between these two members.However, the application of a load over a predetermined amount willresult in the follower 136 to slide over the interference member 134such that the holder portion 116 can be placed in the removal positionA.

The magnitude of the load needed to rotate the holder portion 116 fromthe stored position A is determined by the amount of interference (i.e.the distance the interference member 134 protrudes into the path of thefollower 136), the coefficients of friction of the follower 136 upon theinterference member 134, the amount play associated with theinterference member 134 and the holder portion 116 (i.e. how much theinterference member 134 can move away from the holder portion 116 when aforce is applied), the hardness of the materials used in constructingthe interference member 134 and the follower 136, etc.

Once the holder portion 116 is in the removal position A, the holderportion 116 is impeded from inadvertently rotating back to the storedposition C by the interference relationship of the interference member134 and the follower 136, in the same manner as described above when theholder portion 116 is rotated from the stored position C to the removalposition A.

The interference member 134 may be the fastener 118 used in securing thebase portion 114 to the tool holder 100. This dual use of the fastener118 as both the interference member 134 and as a fastener 118 forcoupling the base portion 114 to the tool holder 100 reduces thecomplexity of the tool holder 100, assembly costs, and raw materialcosts, among other things. Although the illustrated and describedembodiment uses the fastener 118 as the interference member 134, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the interferencemember 134 may be a separate component from the fastener 118.

An alternate embodiment of the tool holder described above may be bestunderstood by referring to FIGS. 9-10. The tool holder 200 issubstantially identical in materials and operation as the tool holder100 described above with a few exceptions. One exception is theconstruct of the base portion 214. The base portion 214 of the alternateembodiment is removably attached within the tool holder (not shown inFIGS. 9-10) by serrated locking portions 300A and 300B formed on thesides of the base portion 214.

The locking portions 300A and 300B are sized and configured to beremovably disposed within the tool holder by an interference fit betweenthe locking portions 300A and 300B and correspondingly configuredserrated members (not shown) disposed within the interior sidewalls ofthe tool holder. One such tool holder is described in pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 60/738,186, entitled MODULAR TOOL CASE, andassigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

The tool holder 200 also differs from the tool holder 100 by theinclusion of a pair of integrally formed interference members 234. Theinterference members 234 are positioned and configured to lockinglyengage the follower 236 formed in the base of the holder portion 216,thereby selectively retaining the holder portion 216 in the storedposition. This may be best understood by referring to FIGS. 10A-10C.

In the stored position of FIG. 10A, rotation of the holder portion 216is restrained by the interference between the follower 236 and theinterference members 234. The holder portion 216 is retained in thisposition until an appropriate opening load is applied to the holderportion 216 by the user of sufficient magnitude to overcome theinterference between the follower 235 and the interference members 234.The same considerations described above with respect to this openingload applies.

As best seen by referring to FIG. 10B, shortly after the opening load isapplied to the holder portion 216, the follower 236 slides over theinterference members 234, allowing the holder portion 216 to bedisplaced into the removal position of FIG. 10C.

In the removal position, the follower 236 is displaced from theinterference members 234 and tool accessories (not shown) may be eitherremoved or inserted into the holder portion 216 and the holder portion216 is displaced back into the stored position by reversing the stepsdescribed above.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. As a non-limitingexample, although the interference members and follower are illustratedand described as associated with particular elements of the presentdesign, it should be apparent the disclosure is not intended to be solimited. Particularly, the interference members may be formed with theholder portion and the follower may be formed with the base portion.Accordingly, these and other changes are within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

1. A tool holder, comprising: (a) first and second casings connected bya hinge; (b) at least one tool carrier, comprising: (i) a base portioncoupled to one of either the one of the first or second casings; (ii) aholder portion having at least one holder assembly adapted to receive atool accessory, the holder portion coupled to the base portion forselective movement between a stored position and a removal position,wherein the holder portion is positioned relative to the base portion topermit the tool accessory to be removed from the holder portion; (iii)an interference member associated with one of either the base portion orthe holder portion, the at least one interference member engaging aportion of the other of either the base portion or the holder portionand defining an interference fit therebetween for selectivelyrestraining the holder portion in the stored position until apredetermined load is applied to overcome the interference fit; and (iv)a retaining assembly positioned for locking engagement with a portion ofthe tool accessory when the tool accessory is disposed within the holderportion and the holder portion is displaced into the stored position toselectively restrain the tool accessory within the at least one toolcarrier.
 2. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the retaining assemblycomprises an interlocking structure positioned on the base portion andpositioned for engagement with the portion of the tool accessory.
 3. Thetool holder of claim 2, wherein the interlocking structure is a posthaving a geometry that substantially corresponds to the portion of thetool accessory.
 4. The tool holder of claim 2, wherein the base portionincludes a locking portion configured to permit selective positioning ofthe at least one tool carrier within the tool holder.
 5. The tool holderof claim 4, wherein the locking portion includes a serrated portionformed on at least one side of the base portion.
 6. The tool holder ofclaim 1, wherein the base portion includes a locking portion configuredto permit selective positioning of the at least one tool carrier withinthe tool holder.
 7. A tool holder, comprising: (a) first and secondcasings connected by a hinge; (b) at least one tool carrier, comprising:(i) a base portion coupled to one of either the one of the first orsecond casings; (ii) a holder portion having at least one holderassembly adapted to receive a tool accessory, the holder portion coupledto the base portion for selective movement between a stored position anda removal position, wherein the holder portion is positioned relative tothe base portion to permit the tool accessory to be removed from theholder portion; (iii) a retaining assembly positioned for lockingengagement with a portion of the tool accessory when the tool accessoryis disposed within the holder portion and the holder portion isdisplaced into the stored position to selectively restrain the toolaccessory within the at least one tool carrier; and (iv) a lockingportion disposed on the base portion and configured to permit selectivepositioning of the at least one tool carrier within the tool holder. 8.The tool holder of claim 7, further comprising an interference memberassociated with one of either the base portion or the holder portion,the at least one interference member positioned to engage a portion ofthe other of either the base portion or the holder portion to define aninterference fit therebetween.